Planning for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Using the PRA Approach Based on Seven Capital Model (Case Study: Baghdan Village in Nikshahr County)

The present is carried out aimed at developing a plan for development and sustainable rural livelihoods with an emphasis on Baghdan village in Nikshahr county. Accordingly, a  participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method is used to collect the research data. Data analysis is also performed using the Seven Capital and the Radar Models. The participants of the study consist of 23 experts who are selected purposefully. The findings of the research showed that Baghdan village has appropriate natural and social capital, and its human capital is increasing. At the same time, it is found that the village does not have good spatial capital. However, according to the existing context and the demand of the villagers, implementing the scenario of relocating the village in the proposed location will create new spatial and employment opportunities for the village and villagers. There are also some weaknesses in the infrastructural capitals of the village that they can be addressed by implementing the relocation scenario. Besides, there also some weaknesses in the institutional capital of the village in terms of legal documentation. The development plans for tourism and agriculture have some problems in terms of the coordination of inter-organizational programs, and the effectiveness of the programs for job creation and livelihoods is also under question. Finally, according to the radar model and based on the opportunities available in each of the seven capitals of the village, the future development and employment plan of Baghdan village is elaborated.